Community Economic Development Program
News & Alerts
News & Alerts - October, 2009
Baltimore's Liquor Board... Heavyhanded?
The Liquor License Board of Baltimore City is charged with regulating the sale, storage, and distribution of retail alcoholic beverages in Baltimore City - and has recently proven an excellent partner in protecting the quality of life in the communities where liquor is sold. But, in an article published on Oct. 12, 2009 in The Baltimore Sun, interviewees suggested that the current commissioners are a bit too tough on liquor establishments that break the law. Read the full article here.
Under Armour Running Festival on 10/10 Will Mean Parking and Traffic Restrictions
This Saturday, the Under Armour Running Festival (commonly known as the Baltimore marathon) will be coming through our neck of the woods. There are plenty of parking and traffic restrictions in effect, including a complete closure of 33rd Street and Howard Street. For more details and a list of street closures, check out this document.
News & Alerts - September, 2009
City of Baltimore Announces Furlough-Related Building Closures
Buildings owned and operated by the City of Baltimore will be closed for a total of five days as part of a City-wide furlough of workers. The days are:
- Friday, October 9, 2009
- Friday, November 27, 2009
- Thursday, December 24, 2009
- Friday, January 15, 2009
- Friday, May 28, 2009
This means that major city services - such as the One Stop Permit Shop - will not be available. The City assures residents that recycling and trash collection services will not be interrupted.
GHCC to Host Code Enforcement Workshop for Neighborhood Leaders
Ever wonder how housing code enforcement works, and how it can be used as a tool in your neighborhood? If so, GHCC has a free workshop for you! This Tuesday, September 29th at 6:30 pm, please join us in a discussion about housing code and regulations in Baltimore City. Presenting will be Daniel Baker of Baltimore Housing's Code Enforcement section.
Please feel free to RSVP to Audrey at 410.261.4927 or SmJ5q5Dm@iK5SJ5KyGv5bGGO.GKi, or just come by! All are welcome.
If you'd like to read more about GHCC's Strategic Code Enforcement program before you attend the workshop, click here.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Office of Policy Development and Research Releases U.S. Housing Market Conditions Report for 2nd Quarter of 2009
The gist? Overall affordability fell, foreclosures increased, but construction of new single-family housing units (both starts and completions) increased slightly for the first time in 13 consecutive quarters. Click here to go to HUD's website, which contains the full report.
Liquor Board to Review Bottle Club Rules
If you've spent any time reading or watching the news lately, you've heard all about Mt. Vernon's now infamous bottle club, Suite Ultralounge. Although the Liquor Board ordered the club closed late last year, a Circuit Court judge recently ruled that the Liquor Board could not regulate so-called "bottle clubs" until it adopted rules pertaining specifically to such establishments. Well, the proposed rules are published here, and on Sept. 24, 2009, at 3 pm, the Liquor Board will host a public hearing to review them. Have comments or just want to support our neighbors to the south? Go to Room 215, City Hall, and don't forget to bring your ID and leave your pepper spray at home.
Waverly Main Street Recognized in The Baltimore City Paper's Best of Baltimore Awards
Many Greater Homewood businesses, artists, and attractions were recognized this year in The Baltimore City Paper's Best of Baltimore Awards, released on Wednesday, September 16th. But, we are especially proud of the accomplishments of much-deserving Waverly Main Street, which runs along Greenmount Avenue and joins with the communities of Waverly, Better Waverly, Oakenshawe, Abell, and Harwood. Its winners? The 32nd Street Waverly Farmer's Market (Best Farmer's Market), Normal's (Best Used Bookstore), and, our personal favorite and the result of much hard work from our staff - the Waverly Giant (Best Mural).
And those weren't the only winners from Waverly Main Street. Also recognized is Greenmount Avenue's No. 8 Bus, which specializes in socks and t-shirts, as Best Retail on Wheels. We always tell folks what great shopping we have here in Greater Homewood, and as the City Paper explains, "If you can handle the crowd, you can't beat the convenience."
Click here for the full entry on GHCC's Greater Homewood Voices blog.
Business Plan Workshop at JH@Eastern Campus
The Small Business Resource Center will host a workshop on how to develop a business plan on Friday, September 18, 2009 from 10 am to 12:30 pm. The SBRC is located at the old Eastern High School campus at 1101 E. 33rd Street, in suite C307. Want to attend? Contact Iris Carter at 443-451-7160.
Baltimore City Gets Power to Fine Code Violators
A much-anticipated change to Baltimore City law will allow code enforcement officers to slap hefty fines on violators (click here for The Baltimore Sun article). Previously, the City's only means of redress for severely neglected properties were cumbersome and often lengthy legal procedures. GHCC looks forward to monitoring the implementation of this new change.
Click here for more, including a link to the legislation.
Central Maryland Transportation Alliance Recommends Yellow Line - Part of Which Will Run Along Greenmount Avenue/York Road - as Region's Next Transit Priority
In a report released in July 2009 by the Central Maryland Transportation Alliance, the group recommended that the Yellow Line be prioritized as the region's next big transit project. The Yellow Line would connect Columbia to Lutherville via Baltimore's current light rail line and additional rail along the Greenmount Avenue/York Road corridor - not without implications for the neighborhoods of Greater Homewood. Click here for the article in The Baltimore Sun.
Hint: to skip ahead to Yellow Line discussion, read pages 18 & 19, and skip to Chapter 4, of the full report.
